Statement by the spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on executions in Taiwan (22/04/2013)

"The High Representative deplores the six executions that took place in Taiwan on 19 April 2013, following a previous round of executions on 21 December 2012. Taiwan's authorities continue to act in disregard of concerns expressed worldwide.

The High Representative recognises the serious nature of the crimes involved and expresses her sincere sympathy to the families of the victims. However, the EU is opposed to capital punishment in all cases without exception, and has consistently called for its universal abolition.

The High Representative profoundly regrets that the Taiwanese authorities have chosen to ignore the recommendation to introduce an immediate moratorium on executions, which was made on 1 March 2013 by the international panel of experts convened to review Taiwan's first human rights report.

This decision very unfortunately confirms the deterioration of the situation in Taiwan on the question of the death penalty, after the interruption of a four-year de facto moratorium on executions. The High Representative calls again on the Taiwanese authorities to end this backtracking and to work effectively towards a moratorium on executions with a view to abolition."